Okay. i will try that then. im going to go buy a new cobra today actually. the shop over here has em on sale. but i would like to get the older one fixed up for my grandfather. thanks for the help man.Take er easy.Okay. i will try that then. im going to go buy a new cobra today actually. the shop over here has em on sale. but i would like to get the older one fixed up for my grandfather. thanks for the help man.Take er easy.

Passing a small magnet in front of the meter may be enough to free it up. It may, however, be an indication of a problem with the needle type bearing on either end of the shaft that supports the indicator or that the coiled indicator spring has broken.

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The meter will be more accurate and an external meter will be even better. If they show good disregard the ant light it is adjustable. It may have been set to sensitive from factory.
These erroneous SWR reading can be the side effects of a PEAK & TUNE if the coils have been spread but that should also show on meter.
SWR meter calibrations

Switch (S/RF SWR CAL) to the CAL position.

Push and hold mic button

While holding mic button adjust the SWR CAL knob so the meter needle swings to the CAL mark on the meter

While still holding down the mic button, set the (S/RF SWR CAL) switch to the SWR position, to read the SWR reading. Note: When switched to SWR position the meter needle should ideally be as far to the left as possible. Anything over 3 is not acceptable.

S/RF/SWR/CAL SWITCH. When in the S/RF position, the meter swingsproportionally to the strength of the received signal. When transmitting,the meter indicates relative RF output power.When in the "CAL" position, the SWR meter can be calibrated by adjust-ing the "SWR CAL" control to the "CAL" mark on the meter face.When in the "SWR" position, the standing wave ratio is measured.

VR5 tx power meter
VR6 antenna warning light
There is not pot for swr cal internally. I guess the cal knob broad range pot or variable resistor. Swr readings after user calibration knob on front of radio, for meter should be close. Obviously not as good as external with larger scale meter. If you can not calibrate meter on face with this knob your radio may have less than 4 watts deadkey.
Just to be on the same page. Understand that SWR is a reading of antenna system condition or tuning of antenna to vehicle mounting location. This is a brief description.

follow these steps to adjust thestanding wave ratio(SWR).1. Turn on the CB.2. Set S/RF/SWR/CAL to CAL.3. Key the Mic and rotate SWR CAL so the meter pointsto CAL.4. Unkey Mic.5. Set S/RF/SWR/CAL to SWR.6. Key Mic again and note the actual measurement onthe SWR scale. Refer to the following table to interpretthe reading.

1. Switch the first switch (S/RF SWR CAL) to CAL setting2. Key mic up &3. Turn SWR CAL knob while still keying mic until the needle is on the red CAL arrow at the far end of the meter scale. Unkey mic.4. Switch the first switch back to SWR setting.5. Key mic up again and record SWR reading and adjust as needed.6. When done adjusting put switch back in the S/RF setting for normal operation.

After installing the antenna, follow these steps to adjust thestanding wave ratio(SWR).1. Turn on the CB.2. Set S/RF/SWR/CAL to CAL.3. Key the Mic and rotate SWR CAL so the meter pointsto CAL.4. Unkey Mic.5. Set S/RF/SWR/CAL to SWR.6. Key Mic again and note the actual measurement onthe SWR scale. Refer to the following table to interpretthe reading.

The ideal standing wave ratio (SWR) is 1:1, or a meterreading of 1 on the SWR meter's top scale. A SWR ratioof 1.5:1 to 2:1 is excellent for most mobile CB antennaapplications.

Check the SWR on Channel 1 and Channel 40If the SWR is higher on 1, make the antenna longerIf the SWR is higher on 40, make the antenna shorterMost antenna's are adjustable. Make small adjustments at a time.

If by calibration, you are referring to the check if your antenna is tuned, below information may be of help.S/RF/SWR/CAL SWITCH. When in the S/RF position, the meter swingsproportionally to the strength of the received signal. When transmitting,the meter indicates relative RF output power.When in the "CAL" position, the SWR meter can be calibrated by adjustingthe "SWR CAL" control to the "CAL" mark on the meter face.When in the "SWR" position, the standing wave ratio is measured.

SWR METER. Measures standing wave ratio of the antenna system.Used to properly adjust the length of the antenna and to monitor thequality of the coaxial cable and all RF electrical connections. If there is anydegradation whatsoever in any of the foregoing, due to humidity, saltspray, vibration or corrosion, the SWR meter reading will rise, therebyindicating that a problem exists.To calibrate, switch to the "CAL" position, transmit by pressing the mikeswitch, and adjust the SWR control to the "CAL" mark on the meter; thenswitch to "SWR" position for the SWR measurement.

If however you are referring to the internal calibration or tuning of the transmit and receive sections, you would need several instruments/equipment such as RF generator (0-30Mhz with 1Khx modulation), Spectrum Analyzer, Modulation Scope, Dummy Loaded Wattmeter, Frequency Meter and some others. These of course are not readily available to the average user.

Hope this be of initial help/idea. Pls post back how things turned up or should you need additional information.

weather can effect your meter .Those meters are not very accurate just a base line get a good swr meter and then check it.If your getting good radio checks it could be the potentoimeter is dirty . Radio shack sells contact cleaner and lube try cleaning it . That might help